Together, the brands form what Ng calls “a cohesive ecosystem” rooted in accessibility, comfort, and thoughtful construction – values that have remained unchanged even as fashion cycles accelerated.
SURVIVING THE SHIFTS
Longevity hasn’t come without strain. Ng describes the most difficult moments not as single crises, but periods of structural upheaval.
“One such moment was when retail began changing rapidly – rising costs, evolving mall dynamics, and later, the acceleration of digital and online expectations,” he said. “These weren’t challenges you could solve with a single decision.”
Rather than panic or pivot dramatically, Ng doubled down on observation. “We stayed close to the ground. Spending time in stores, listening to staff, watching customers, and resisting the urge to panic.”
Over time, he learned that survival came from consistency. “Difficult periods are not solved by dramatic moves,” he said, “but by making a series of small, disciplined decisions consistently.” Calmness, humility and persistence, he added, mattered more than confidence.
A NEW CHAPTER, A NEW AUDIENCE
For most of its history, Iora Group has remained largely under the radar.
“We were never focused on being loud. We were focused on being reliable,” he said.
Yet as the group neared its third decade, something shifted. In 2023, Iora Group launched Monoloq, its most design-forward brand yet, and in doing so, signalled an ambition to reach beyond its traditional customer base.